by George | Nov 29, 2020 | Community News
Leftovers
“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”
Mark 8:19-21
Is there any turkey leftover in your refrigerator? How about stuffing? Cranberry sauce?
We tend to cook too much during the holidays. So, it’s a challenge to eat it all before it goes to waste.
The Bible records the story of the feeding of the 4,000 in Mark 8. There was a multitude of people gathered to listen to Jesus. Some of them came from far away.
“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.”
Mark 8:2
How were they going to feed them? They are no where near the marketplace.
His disciples asked how they could feed them. It seemed impossible. But, there’s nothing impossible with God!
So, Jesus takes the 7 loaves and a few fish, and miraculously feeds the 4,000+ people there!
He instructs His disciples to gather the leftovers so nothing would go to waste.
Do you ever wonder why there was food leftover? In this case, 7 big baskets and another time 12 big baskets when He fed the 5,000.
Some possibilities…
- The leftovers were for the disciples. Perhaps they fed others first before getting to eat. Jesus’ compassion was not only for the multitude, but also for His disciples, and… you and me.
- There was something symbolic in the numbers. 7 signifies completion or perfection. As an old hymn says, “Jesus doeth all things well.” 12 could signify the 12 tribes and or the 12 disciples. Each disciple had a basket to carry. Reminding them of the miracle they just witnessed.
- The leftovers remind us of the abundance of God’s grace. John 1:16 says in the New English Translation: “For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another.”
But, in today’s reading, it seems that the disciples temporarily forgot that God would meet their needs. They had forgotten to take bread with them.
Sometimes we worry about what we need instead of asking God. We are quick to forget how He has supplied before.
Jesus asks: “How is it you do not understand?” Mark 8:21.
by George | Nov 27, 2020 | Community News
Give Thanks IN All Things
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks…” But I don’t want to…
I’m upset that the Corona Virus is still here and seems to be getting worse. It troubles me that my son was exposed to the virus and now has some of the symptoms.
What if I get it? There’s so much work to be done.
We are contemplating not getting together with family because it’s too risky…
So, today I’m struggling with giving thanks IN all things.
I need to remember some basic truths.
- Giving thanks is God’s will. The verse ends with: “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
- Giving thanks was something our biblical heros did. Remember how that the disciples, after being flogged for preaching Christ, praised and thanked God that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name’s sake. Remember Paul and Silas praying and praising God at midnight? They were in jail, bound with chains with open wounds from the beating they received.
- Giving thanks ushers in the peace of God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. I don’t know about you, but I sure need that peace.
- Giving thanks can be done even when things aren’t going my way. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”Habakkuk 3:17-18 . So today, I resolve to give thanks IN all things… Even if I don’t feel like it. “Praise the Lord anyhow!” Happy THANKSgiving!
by George | Nov 23, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Wait On the LORD
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
Psalms 27:13-14
I went to get blood work done the other morning. Getting there early is my goal, so I can be on time for work. To my dismay, several others got there ahead of me.
I hate to wait!
Honestly, I was going to try and do some writing as I waited, but I find it hard to think when I get frustrated.
It seems 2020 is a year of waiting.
We have had to wait, while sheltering in place, to be able to eat in a restaurant, attend sporting events and go to the movie theater, just to name a few.
We have also been waiting for the end of the of the Corona Virus.
Sometimes it can be discouraging.
The psalmist nearly lost heart, but he believed that he “would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.”
Then the psalmist urges us to wait on the LORD.
He also says to “Be of good courage.”
We could live in fear if we dwell on all the bad things happening around us.
The LORD reminded Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Finally, when we wait on the LORD and take courage in Him, He will strengthen our heart.
Isaiah tells us:
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Remember that “… The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
So, while we wait on the LORD, continue to pray that the LORD will vanish the Corona Virus.
Keep in mind the psalmist’s hope that he “would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
A better day is coming.
Don’t be afraid.
He will strengthen us.
May the joy and peace of God be yours today.
